Combined forces establish presence in Gomal district

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.03.2012

Story by Sgt. William Begley 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Task Force Blackhawk patrolled areas in the Gomal district March 3.

The patrol’s goal, according to U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John Brennan, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Task Force Blackhawk, was to establish an ANSF presence and disrupt any insurgent activity. While in the village of Little Amenkhuil, coalition forces also gathered biometric data on military aged men and handed out clothes to local children.

Afghan National Army 1st Sgt. Nak Mohammad, 2nd Coy, 2nd Battalion, 4th Kandak, said missions with U.S. forces show the cohesive relationship between the ANSF and U.S. soldiers.

“Our relationship with the U.S. soldiers has improved greatly and we hope it continues,” Mohammad said.

Brennan, a native of Manchaug, Mass., added that by getting the ANSF time with their community, they are letting the people know that they are here to protect them while receiving U.S. training at the same time.

“[They] lead the convoy so the first thing the villagers saw was the face of their fellow countrymen and that helps to put them at ease,” Brennan said.

The patrol started with Afghan Border Police conducting traffic control point operations, said Brennan.

“Basically we’re trying to find any enemy insurgents that might be in the area smuggling things.”

While conducting the patrol, U.S. Army Sgt. Peter Turo, a native of White Plains, N.Y., and a team leader with 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Task Force Blackhawk, collected military aged men’s biometric data. He was impressed with the level of identification the process provides.

“We get everyone’s fingerprints, DNA, pictures of the retina, and the people themselves along with their names and family history to add to our database,” Turo said. “With all of this information in our database, our chances of catching perpetrators from a previous improvised explosive attack increases dramatically.

While coalition forces conducted the biometrics, Mohammad said the ANA provided support to the local populace.

“Our soldiers distributed the clothing they received from the U.S. soldiers and the local people are happy. It’s our mission to keep our people happy and healthy.”

• Date Taken: 03.03.2012
• Date Posted: 03.06.2012 00:48
• Story ID: 84780
• Location: PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF